Government Issues Official Protocol for Singing ‘Vande Mataram’ in Ceremonies

New Delhi: The central government on Wednesday released comprehensive guidelines detailing the official protocol for singing India’s national song, Vande Mataram, at public and state events. The guidelines specify how and when the song should be presented during official ceremonies, and the expected conduct of audiences during its rendition.

The new directives, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aim to establish the national song’s formal status and role across India’s public and official functions. They emphasize its observance during state ceremonies and institutional gatherings.

According to the guidelines, the full official version of Vande Mataram, consisting of six stanzas and lasting approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds, should be performed or played at major state occasions. These include national flag hoisting ceremonies, the official arrival and departure of the President or Governors, and events immediately before or after their scheduled speeches.

The six-stanza version of Vande Mataram reads:

Vande Mataram
Su-jalaam su-phalaam malayaja-sheetalam, Sasya shyama-lam ma-taram. Vande Mataram.

Shubhra jyotsna-pulakita yaamini, Phulla-kusumita drumadala-shobhinim, Suhasinim sumadhura bhaashinim, Sukhadaam varadaam ma-taram.

Ko-ti ko-ti kantha kal-kal ninaad karaale, Dvisapta ko-ti bhujai-dhrta khar-karavaale. Ke bole ma tumi abale, Bahubala dhaarinim, namaami taarinim, Ripudalavaarinim ma-taram.

Tumi vidyaa tumi dharma, tumi hridi tumi marm, Tvam hi praanah shareere. Baahute tumi maa shakti, Hridaye tumi maa bhakti, Tomarai pratimaa gadi mandire-mandire.

Tvam hi Durga dashapraharana-dhaarinim, Kamala kamaladala vihaarinim, Vaani vidya-daayini, namaami tvaam, Namaami kamalaam amalaam atulaam, Su-jalaam su-phalaam ma-taram.

Shyamalaam saralaam susmitaam bhushitaam, Dharaneem bharaneem ma-taram.

New Protocol Highlights:

• If a program includes both Vande Mataram and the national anthem, Vande Mataram should be sung first, followed by the national anthem.
• Audience members are expected to stand respectfully during both renditions.
• Schools and educational institutions are encouraged to sing Vande Mataram during daily assemblies and key institutional events to foster awareness and respect for national symbols.
• When the song is performed by a band, the guidelines recommend starting the rendition formally with the sound of drums or bugles.

Cinema Halls Exemption:
The ministry has provided specific exemptions for cinema halls and film screenings. When Vande Mataram is played as part of a film soundtrack, audiences are not required to stand. This measure aims to prevent disruption to the entertainment experience and avoid potential confusion among viewers.

This initiative seeks to standardize the formal protocol associated with the national song and address longstanding inconsistencies in its observance.